Just like the stationary burnout a drag racer needs to perform in order to warm the rear tires for maximum grip off the line, Ford engineers equipped the 2015 Mustang with an electronic gizmo that does virtually the same thing at the touch of a button on the steering wheel.
Although controversial by purist standards, the electronic line-lock system coupled with the standard launch control could prove to be a real benefit for customers that fancy to compete one-quarter mile at a time.
“Competition has been an integral part of the Ford Mustang lifestyle since its earliest days 50 years ago,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “We know our customers, and we wanted to provide a unique feature for those wishing to take full advantage of the increased capability offered by this new Mustang GT at the drag strip.”
Both the manual and automatic Mustang GT models get this industry-first performance feature in standard. With the electronic line-lock feature enabled, when a driver releases the brake pedal, the hydraulic control unit for the stability control system will keep the front brakes locked while releasing the rear brakes. By applying a gentle tap on the gas pedal, the rear wheels rotate while the car stands still, warming the tires up for maximum grip.
The main advantage of this system is that the process can all be done without having to install a dedicated mechanical line-lock or balance one foot on the brake and the other on the gas like in the good ol' days. With the tires properly warmed up, drivers can engage launch control and get a perfect start as soon as the lights go green.
“Whether a customer wants to take weekend road trips, go road racing or compete in grassroots drag racing, we aim to maximize the driving experience for everyone,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “Mustang offers selectable drive modes for those who prefer to compete on road courses or in autocross events, so when we realized we could provide a really cool feature like electronic line-lock that no one else offers, the decision was easy – ‘Let’s do it!’”
However, you should read the fine print on your Mustang's warranty sheet before using this system. Ford warns you that racing your vehicle on public roads will void its warranty, the electronic line-lock feature being intended for use only on racetracks. Boo and hiss!
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News